We can still go straight up

MANAGER Alan Pardew refuses to accept automatic promotion is a straight fight between the top two sides ahead of tonight's crucial clash with third-placed Sheffield United (kick-off 7.45pm).

Last night's 1-1 draw between leaders Portsmouth and their nearest rivals, Leicester City, at the Walkers Stadium gave the two sides 67 points and 65 points respectively, having both played 32 games.

Reading and the Blades are a massive 13 points behind the Foxes although United have three games in hand on the pair and Pardew's men have one extra match to play.

Tonight's rearranged showdown at Bramall Lane could cut that deficit.

And Pardew, speaking before last night's top-of-the-table clash, said: "If there's one thing I know from experience then that is promotion is never ever over until it is mathematically secured.

"It brings its own pressures. There are still plenty of points to play for and I wouldn't even put money on Wigan going up in the Second Division — and they have a big lead. I wouldn't rule anything out.

"We're in a great position and we can really give it a go."

Tonight's crunch encounter has an extra edge following John Mackie's spat with Carl Asaba during Reading's 2-0 defeat by the Blades at Madejski Stadium in December last year.

The bust-up saw Mackie charged by the FA for making racist comments.

Mackie, though, will be on the bench while Asaba is ruled out by hamstring and calf injuries.

Both camps have played down that incident and Royals' players, remain focused on trying to secure a fourth successive victory and make up for their defeat on home soil.

However, United have lost just once at home in the league all season when they went down 2-1 to Watford back in September.

Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann said: "It is certain to be a very tough game and a tough place to go.

"Their record at home is excellent, but we are level on points with them and we have shown what a good team we are.

"We were disappointing when we played them earlier. I would say they were one of the best sides we've seen. They deserved the three points that day, but we didn't play particularly well.

"You never want to lose any game but you know it will happen and, if you could choose a game to lose, it would be against a team lower down as the ones against teams like Sheffield United are in effect six-pointers."

United's side has plenty of quality but Hahnemann has singled out Dean Windass as their key man.

The former Middlesbrough striker scored against Royals two months ago.

And Hahnemann admitted: "Dean Windass is a big signing for them. He is such a good player who holds the ball up well and he has a good partnership with Steve Kabba."

While United have also maintained their promotion push, they have done superbly in both cup competitions.

They face Leeds United in the FA Cup quarter-finals and also reached the Worthington Cup semi-finals before going out to Liverpool over two legs.

Royals' American keeper said: "Hopefully the cup can prove a distraction. They have gone very far in two of them and they might have their minds on winning a trophy as that can happen sometimes."

* ROYALS' home clash with Wolves on Saturday March 8 has been postponed because Dave Jones' side face Southampton away in the FA Cup quarter-finals that weekend. Royals' scheduled trip to Watford on Saturday April 12 could also be in doubt as that is the weekend of the semi-finals and the Hornets are also still in the cup.